Consider this scenario:
*The yucca plant depends on the yucca moth as its only pollinator.
*The yucca moth caterpillar feeds only on the yucca plant.
*A large population of bats moved into the area and starts overfeeding on the yucca moth and caterpillar.
Answer the following questions in 4-5 sentences.
1) (2 pts) What would happen to the Yucca moth population? Explain why this would happen.
2) (2 pts) What would happen to the Yucca plant population? Explain why this would happen.
(4 points)
1) The yucca moth population would decline due to the overfeeding by the bats. With a large number of bats consuming a significant portion of the yucca moth population, there would be fewer moths available for pollination. This lack of pollination would lead to a decrease in the reproduction of the yucca plant, ultimately impacting the yucca moth population as they rely on the plant for survival.
2) The yucca plant population would also decline as a result of the decrease in pollination by the yucca moth. Without sufficient pollination, the yucca plants would not produce as many seeds, leading to a reduction in new plant growth. Over time, this could result in a decrease in the overall population of yucca plants in the area. The interdependence between the yucca plant and the yucca moth makes them vulnerable to disruption in their ecosystem.